Vaginal gauge



E. B. WOLFFE 2,456,806

VAGINAL GAUGE Dec. 21, 1948.

2 Shegts-Sheep 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1947 INVENTOR.

Erwin 13. my

i #01 may 3- E. B. WOLFFQ'E 2,456,806

VAGINAL GAUGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14, 1947 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE \TAGINAL GAUGE Erwin B. Wolffe, Chicago, 111. Application January 14, 1947, Serial No. 722,001

4 Claims.

1 My invention relates to vaginal gauges for the measurement of vaginal areas adapted to receive in sealing, and in proper seating relationship pessaries, or similar contraceptives used in the medical profession.

An important object of my invention is to provide a gauge of the aforementioned character which is constructed of two cross levers fulcrumed, at an intermediate point, and normally urged by spring means in open relationship, the said levers being provided with an arcuately shaped measuring gauge, and being further provided with semi-circularly shaped arms, or termini for seating in the posterior fornix area, and the recess directly under the pubic bone area, where the pessary is customarily seated to form a seal and obstruction to the union or fusion of the ova and the spermatozoa, in other words, to prevent conception.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vaginal gauge of the aforementioned character having two terminal legs, one terminal being shorter than the other, so that the semi-circular gauging portions attached tothe said legs will always be maintained in the same geometric plane regardless of whether the gauge is in closed position, or in any of the varied openings to which it may be positioned, in actual use and operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a vaginal gauge of the aforementioned character which is normally maintained in its maximum open position, and is closed before insertion into the vaginal cavity wherein measurements are to be taken.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a gauge of the aforementioned character rack and pinion means at the fulcrum thereof, to provide equalizing efiects for the terminal gauging portions thereof, maintaining them in the same geometric plane regardless of the positions thereof, whether in open or closed position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a gauging device of the aforementioned character which is simple in construction, practical and efficient in its operation and use, and of such simple elemental construction as to lend itself readily to economical manufacture in quantity production.

Other features, inherent advantages, and ancillary objects" resident in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings; having further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and; in which:

. 2 Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a-pes sary used for contraceptive purposes. I

Fig. 2 shows the bending or flexure of the said pessary illustrated in Fig. 1, preparatory to its insertion in the vaginal area.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the vaginal structure, and the pessary positioned in place for effective prevention.

Fig. 4 is a view showing my instrumentality preparatory to its being positioned in the vaginal area.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing my gauge inserted, and in distended position, gauging the internal area between the posterior fornix, and the recessed portion directly below the pubic bone area, indicating thereon the proper gauging and showing the dimensions, or diameter of pessary that is best fitted or required in that particu-"' lar case.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of my vaginal gauge,

or instrument showing in dotted lines the closure thereof, and in full lines, the maximum opening thereof, also indicating gauging facilities from 50 millimeters to millimeters, to take in the entire range of diameters of pessaries manufactured as standard products.

Fig. 7 is an end view looking at the gauging portions of Fig. 6 in open and closed position.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken, substantially,

on the lines 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a view taken, substantially, on-the lines 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the various Figures 1, 2, and 3, his best to describe first such parts of the anatomical structure of the vagina, as will aid in understanding, and appreciating the teachings and practices of my invention.

In the various views, wherein the vaginal sec-' tional structure is generally illustrated, the'vaginal area is designated 26, the lowermost portion thereof, called the posterior forniX, is designated 24, directly above and to the right thereof is the projection at the terminal portion of the uterus 48 known as the cervix 25, thereabove and obliquely to the right and below the pubic bone wherein the pessary generally designated i2 'is finally, or ultimately to be seated.

The diametral portion M thereof, which is an enlarged, resilient structure, may also have en cased therein a metallic spring element for added strength, the said flanged resilient portion II is fitted, the object being to fit the same within the posterior fornix as one locating section, and the aforesaid area directly under the pubic bone desig- I hated 49. Hence, it is to be noted that the object" is to measure the diameter between the posterior fornix 24 and the recessed portion 49. The said anatomical structure is usually of a fixed dimension, the areas referred to being non-elastic and thus the determination of the diametral distance or span between the areas 24 and 49 being fixed, the determination thereof will aid in prescribing the proper diameter of pessary needed.

To better understand the vaginal structure, the adjacen'ta 'rea's are alsoillustrated so as to show? the proper relationship of parts, wherein the" symphysis, is indicated at 21, the labium major is shown at 28, and the labium minor is shown at 29 4 The vaginal area is designated 26, where strumentality comprising my inventio'nis -nn iii-Fig. em ruiiiiiies. U to" the dotted lines, by""s'qi1ee'zi1ig" handles l3 gripped in the hand, the instrument is brought serted. The placing of the pessary- IZ inqthe proper position, as shown in Fig. 3 provides a seal at the mouth of the uterus 48, and is thema'iii object and function of the contraceptive so used,

.. lin order to gauge the opening, I provide an tothe clotted position, wherein the gauging ele- 1 ments 36 and 3'! are brought together, in a complete circular assembly measuring approximately 56 millimeters Theinstrumen-t, as; can be seen in Fig. 4 has a circular formation when the elements 36 and 3! instrumentality generally: designated; H which,

referring to Figs: 6 to -9, is illustrateddndeta'il. In=-those-figures,= it will be seen that-the invention consists of two handles l3"provided'with special gripping portions-or:protuberances l and concavities- I=- as indicated in-section of Fig.3, in

order to provide a suitable grip'for'the fingers of th hand-when the same is being manipulated dlIFiDgriIlSltiOll' in; and removal from the vaginal cavity.

The=said handles are urged apart; normally,

by the spring structure I6, which is anchored at'poin'tsl 1 and [8 in between the handle structnrg-prging-them-in the position shown in the full-Hines.

l9 and 20, having the flat sea-that 'the='= same will be sliding engagement as will clearlyelucidated;

.The legs l9' 'an'd2fl are fulcrumed on the pin 2-] which is secured to the pinion 22 in engageengaged in relative,

men-twith the' ledge' 23 provided with rack" teeth,

the fiat portion 46 also being providedwith an elongated-slotted openin'gvdfi'; in orderto permit a relative movement of-the shorter leg 32,-

relativetothe arcuate movement of' the longer leg 33 when opening and closing.the-instrument. The arnis l9. and areadjacent the angularly bent portions 30, in turn connected to inwardly" formed, substantially.right angular portions 3| terminating in the legs 32 and 33, each leg having an angularly bent bifurcated portion 34 and gauging porwhich are preferablyr'ma'de of' 35gnconn'ected to the semi-circular tions 36 and 31, a plasticmaterial'of smooth surface soas' to prevent-damage or"injury to the vaginal walls;

where the'said'gauging portions may be caused tofunction, or operate. preferably welded at 45.

The closing of the handles 13;. althoughs'ef fectuating ax closure' of 'the legs 32 and 33, yet

by:virtue of the pinion 22 and rack 23a forward" movement of leg 32 results maintaining the terminal circular'gauging formation, or the" ele'-" nients 36 and 31 in the same plane, regardless of the=magnitudeor span between points 38 and 39.

The I extreme; outer, circumferential portions, diametrallyr opposed 38 and- 39 perform the gauging? operation when seated in the recess 49,"- and- -the'mecess of theposteriorfornix'24; The portion 3 0== of one lever of the I instrument i-ha'sa'tta'ehed thereto, a gauging arcuat'ely shaped The: handle portions l3 are provided with-inwardly formed angular'extensions which may- -be' moreiaptly-termed crossed levers or-"arms' portions 43 and-4'1;

be hereinafter more The pivot pin 2| is ar'ecl'esed; The said circular formation is at an angular relationship to the legs 32 and 33 facilitat'ing entry* off the gauging-portion into the vaginal cavity 26i When brought'to the position-'- shown; in Fi'ga-EV; the lhandles [3; of: the instru meht are released by the hand; and allowed to find proper seating within the-posterior fornix;

and'the-areaid'il, respectivelyg byr virtue of the diametralend portions-38-and 33: Thaw-gauging is -then read on the graduations' of the 'dial All;

and the size of' the pessary thusdetermined, after which, the-proper pessary: l2=isfselected andins'erted 1 into the vaginal cavity as indicatedin Figs'3z 7 Y I wish to stress; particularly, that I have pro vided an'instrumentality" which can be readily: I insertedintothe-vaginal cavity-, and which will perform a I gauging/operation; thus simplifyingthe procedure of trial and error resorted toat the present time-iii takingw pessaries of 1 different diameters and inserting to see if 'they fit; pro erIy'. The"continual-'insertion-and trial methbd consuming a great deal more time, whereas with} my: instrument, the procedur'e ca'n' (besimplified;

eliminating. 'un-pleasantness' to the patient subjecte'd" to-* such gauging" measurements;

I wish to point out; particularly, the m that L haveprovidedan instrument which has its gauging'portion at relatively small angular re:-

lationship-to the'le'gspf-theinstrument to fa'cili-' tatedtsinseitioii and removal, and an instrument' which; when" inserted, wi1l"-fihd its ow'n gauginglevel; thus indicating readily the gauging of the area==required providinga measurement for selection of the proper pessary for actual use. I also wish to stress that my instrument' iis' closed when" inserted" into the"va"ginal cavity,

and'--is-normally inopen position, thus, after insertion, the"handles'may' bereleased and the instrumen't gauging portions will almost position themselves in proper measuring-' relationship;

automatically andwithout-a great deal of 'u'ncertain manipulationonthe part of the physician performing the measuring function.

"AlthoughI have-herein described and revealed the nature-or the construction of m invention, yet, inasmuch as the'same is "susceptible of modi fi'cations 'and' improvem'ents, I reserve the right to such modifications and improv'er'nents' that come within the scope and spirit of my invention, an'd any' that may f all within thepurview of the foregoing description, or those that may be embraced-" in the accompanying drawings"; my "in";

vention to be limited "onlyrby the" p e rr Claims-5" v I Having thus describd and retea1 t.;

vention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A vaginal gauge of the character described comprising, a pair of crossed lever members articulately secured intermediate their ends, each of said lever members provided with a terminal handle portion and an arcuate gauging portion secured to its other terminus, spring means confined between the handle portions of the said lever members normally urging the said handle portions and the gauging portions in spaced re lationship, and equalizer fulcrum means comprising, a pivot secured to one oi the said lever members, the other of said lever members being provided With a slotted portion slidably and articulately mounted on the said pivot, a pinion secured to the said pivot, and rack means on the said lever member in meshing engagement with the said pinion.

2. A vaginal gauge of the character described comprising, a pair of crossed lever members each provided with handle portions of equal length and leg portions of unequal length, spring means normally maintaining the said handle and leg portions in spaced relationship, gauge indicator means secured to the said crossed lever members at a point intermediate their ends, semi-circular gauging elements secured to the termini of the said leg portions, and equalizer fulcrum means constructed and arranged to maintain the said semi-circular gauging elements in the same geometric plane at any position within the gamut of open and closed positions thereof, the said equalizer fulcrum means comprising, a pivot secured to one of the said lever members, the other of said lever members being provided with a slotted portion slidably and articulately mounted on the said pivot, a pinion secured to the said pivot, and rack means on the said other lever member in meshing engagement with the said pinion.

3. A vaginal gauge of the character described comprising, a pair of crossed lever members each provided With handle portions of equal length and leg portions of unequal length, spring means normally maintaining the said handle and leg portions in spaced relationship, gauge indicator means secured to the said crossed lever members at a point intermediate their ends, semi-circular gauging elements secured to the termini of the said leg portions, and equalizer fulcrum means comprising, a pivot secured to one of the said lever members, the other of said lever members being provided with a slotted portion slidably and articulately mounted on the said pivot, a pinion secured to the said pivot, and rack means on the said other lever member in meshing engagement with the said pinion.

4. A vaginal gauge of the character described comprising, a pair of crossed lever members each provided with handle portions of equal length and leg portions of unequal length, spring means normally maintaining the said handle and leg portions in spaced relationship, gauge indicator means secured to the said crossed lever members at a point intermediate their ends, semi-circular gauging elements secured to the termini of the said leg portions, and equalizer fulcrum means constructed and arranged to maintain the said semi-circular gauging elements in the same geometric plane at any position within the gamut of open and closed positions thereof, the said equal.- izer fulcrum means comprising, a pivot secured to one of the said lever members, the other of said lever members being provided with a slotted portion slidably and articulately mounted on the said pivot, a pinion secured to the said pivot, and rack means on the said other lever member in meshing engagement with the said pinion.

ERWIN B. WOIEFE.

' ille of this patent:

UNITED STA'IES PATENTS Number Name Date 466,986 Van Roden Jan. 12, 1892 1,238,440 Running Aug. 28, 1917 1,528,273 Shwed Mar. 3, 1925 1,692,014 Winn Nov. 20, 1928 1,734,958 Audrieth Nov. 12, 1929 1,953,498 Rieri Apr. 3, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 546,843 Great Britain -1 July 31, 1942 

